Review: Ghost The Musical, New Wimbledon Theatre

Ghost the Musical features The Righteous Brothers’ Unchained Melody, whose lyrics adorned the front cloth of this adaptation of the 90s dramatic rom-com style award winning movie of the same name. Different, yes, but this musical still has all the hallmarks of hit. 

It is at once touching and at the same time frothy and dark and if it is based on murder, harassment and theft it has, at its heart, a powerful story of love, justice and redemption.

The delight of the piece is that this dark tale is well grounded in the loving relationship of Molly and Sam, played respectively by the vocally strong Rebekah Lowings and the smart city-looker, Josh St Clare, who loves a lot but speaks of it little. Fatally assaulted on the way home with Molly we find that Sam is not ready to pass on, but rather he still has protective feelings for Molly and one way or another he will protect her – but how? Fortunately help is on hand as he stumbles across a psychic healer who unwittingly can reach out to the spirits in the afterlife, so Sam finds a way to connect to the mortal world using Oda Mae Brown as a conduit. She is played with great style by Jacqui Dubois who really can flip a line to catch a gag and not only amuses in her efforts to help but can also sing with style and panache. She is clear, punchy and thoroughly enjoyable to watch. Sound levels are not always stable, and some voices feel under projected, but once sound levels and lights settle this is a four star show that will be five star hit, I am sure.

There is so much to enjoy, starting with the score that stands tall with a range of songs co-written by Eurythmics’ Dave Stewart. Inventive direction by Bob Tomson brings the story to life, exposing some complex characters and creating a fluid and fast-moving spectacle. Ably assisted by the designer Mark Bailey whose set is clever, with sliding panels, solid furniture and a layout that allows for some surprising exits and entrances. All of it is set against a neon lit New York skyline that really gives us big buildings and an all-embracing skyline where the heavens wait for reluctant spirits, like Sam, to finish their earthly business. The train gauze is eye catching and cleverly reflects the piece, at once solid and at the same time insubstantial. The choreography by Alistair David is stylish and beautifully captures the different worlds of the city-slickers; self-important swaggers with their mobiles, sleek in their grey outfits, and sharp with their moves and this contrasts well with those on the street who are altogether more colourful, broad and louche. 

It is refreshing to see how talented the supporting roles are with the excellent Tim Maxwell-Clarke (hospital ghost) whose delivery is warm, eccentric, clear and engaging as he manages a centre stage exit that draws the audience in to a story of frustrated longing. Equally the angry spirit to haunt the train, powerfully played by Garry Lee in black swishing leather, tattooed arms, bandana to scare, allows Lee to be vocally arresting, clear and foreboding as another trapped soul gone too early. James Mateo-Salt offers sterling support too as Carl , giving a duplicitous performance as the devious friend. Other company moments shine too, particularly the evangelical support offered by Keiahna Jackson-Jones, whose movement is sharp and delivery tight, giving a sense of fun and urgency to the scene.

Ghost The Musical is thoroughly entertaining, and it’s no surprise that the first night audience were on their feet for this endearing show with an ending that really does leave a bright warm glow!

Ghost the Musical has been adapted by: Bruce Joel Rubin (book and lyrics) 
Music by: Dave Stewart and Glen Ballard
Directed by: Bob Tomson  
Choreography by: Alistair David
Design is by: Mark Bailey
Lighting design by: Nick Richings
Sound design by: Dan Samson
Illusions by: Richard Pinner
Music Direction is by: Jordan Alexander

Ghost The Musical plays at the New Wimbledon Theatre until the 8th February,
then it continues on a UK Tour.